post natal hair loss

[Misty9]

I wasn't sure where to post this, but I've had the hair loss for nearly a month now at 20 weeks post birth. I know it's normal and it went on for three months with ds, so it could be a while yet, but it's getting me down and I wondered if anyone had any tips for coping or feeling more positive about hair?! Literally handfuls come out each time I shower and my hair is everywhere as it falls out :(

[AgaB2013]

Hi Misty9
I had my LO in Dec '13 and my hair was perfect until about 5 months later...and then it started - also handfuls were coming out, mess around my dressing table etc...
and I was told many times before that 'this is likely to happen postpartum' but it did not really prepare me for such a drastic hair loss! However, if you acknowledge and realise that this is due to all the hormonal storm happening in your body and like many things in life it is just a passing thing, it should help you feel a bit better and hopeful. I promise you it does get better. Not sure if you are BF but I would strongly recommend a natural Horsetail shampoo or Aveda in the purple bottle. And more importantly, just try to relax about it so that your body can focus the energy on strengthening the hair and restoring the natural equilibrium instead of being in the state of stress.
All the best, just give it some time.

[Misty9]

Aww, thanks. Yes I remember the extent of it shocked me as well after having ds, so I knew it would happen again but am in the same down place about it currently.

Will try those shampoos as currently using e45 but it could be too harsh?

[AgaB2013]

I was never convinced about the true value of e45 although some people swear by its qualities...I suppose it whatever suits YOU :) I would give a try to the ones I mentioned but be patient as any noticeable changes won't happen in days :)

[maldivemoment]

My hair loss post partum was truly awful. I actually went to the GP thinking I was seriously ill! Turns out I had a pretty awful case of post partum hair loss. What worked for me was the iron supplement, Spatone. I swear it made a difference. Didn't return my hair to luscious locks but speeded up the re-growth. Worth a try...

[squizita]

I have heard in Europe they swear by pure castor oil or burdoch oil rubbed into the scalp overnight then washed off.

[Rhianna1980]

My hair loss was so bad that I thought I was going to get bald soon. My hair was everywhere in the house, in the car... It was disgusting. I didn't think it was going to stop, but it eventually did :) there is light at the end of the tunnel. I just kept taking my vitamin supplements and tried to stick to a good diet. Best wishes

[badfurday]

My daughter is 23 weeks now and my hair loss has only finally slowed down. Naively didn't realise how much would come out! It gets bloody everywhere, that and and my daughter grabbing my hair at every opportunity is not good!

[NickyEds]

My DS is 36 weeks and I'm still losing hair not as bad as last month but still noticeable in the shower etc. Mine only started dropping out at about 5 months too so I thought I'd got away with it. Good to hear some tips as my hair is really fine so can't afford to lose it! Oh and the re growth around my hair line looks ridiculous!

[AnythingNotEverything]

My hair loss suddenly got worse at 8-9 months postpartum, and then I got my first period and it's slowed right down since. I think it was a big hormonal shift.

[Rufus200]

I've suffered with hair loss since my periods first started. I've seen loads of specialist over the years (loads of money wasted) and this is the advice I've been given that works. (I was told by one idiot when I was 16 that I had female patterned baldness, I was actually suffering from anaemia)

If your hair loss is spread all over your head then it is likely nutritional.
If your hair loss is in the centre, like when men go bald, then it is likely hormonal.

Hair follicles need glucose to survive, so eat regularly throughout the day with healthy snacks to keep your glucose at more even level. Fasting diets can make hair loss worse.

Most hair loss in women is associated with borderline anaemia, the most important supplement to take for hair loss in women is Iron! You need a high dose, the dosage in a multivitamin is not enough. Florisene is a great supplement for hair loss.

If iron causes you to become constipated then take magnesium at the same time as the Iron.

Lots of women are also Vit D deficient and this also can cause hair loss.

Hair will grow back, I have had bald patches as times when my hair loss was so bad.

[squizita]

Rufus that's interesting. I lost a lot of hair after sadly having several miscarriages. Everyone rolled out the old shut up the whiny women while sounding woo and sympathetic stress thing ... but mine was all in one place so could well have been the hormonal roller coaster I'd just fallen off repeatedly.
I will be noting the nutrition stuff carefully.
My DM had success in thickening her hair by ensuring, as you mention, her minerals were at appropriate levels.